SHAFAQNA – A mighty earthquake has hit central Italy, shaking buildings as far away as Rome. Reports on the magnitude varied from 6.5 to 7.1. This comes only three days after two more tremors shook the region on Wednesday, leaving villages partly destroyed.

Initial reports on the magnitude of the tremors varied – while USGS and Italian media first talked of a 7.1 earthquake, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) said the tremor was magnitude 6.5 or 6.6.

Italy Civil Protection reports buildings collapsing in a number of locations following Sunday’s tremors. They did not provide any information regarding casualties.

Italy’s National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks (CGR) cautioned Friday that more powerful earthquakes could hit the region in the nearest future, identifying at least three areas at risk for further seismic activity.

“There is no current evidence that the (seismic) sequence underway is coming to an end,” the commission warned.